WISE - - UVa-Wise made 14 3-pointers, including six each by Blair Harding and Makenzie Cluesman as the Cavaliers claimed an 81-69 Mountain East Conference victory over Urbana University at the Prior Center Saturday.

The win keeps Kristin Kunzman's team in contention for a home game in the upcoming Mountain East Conference Tournament. UVa-Wise entered the day a game behind eighth place University of Charleston. Teams seeded 5-8 in the event will play at home in the opening round while teams seeded 1-4 will receive an opening round bye. The Golden Eagles also won Saturday, meaning the Cavs will need to win both games next week to have a chance of hosting the opening round.

UVa-Wise (11-13, 7-13 MEC) got off to a quick start, as Harding drained a trio of 3-pointers while Cluesman sank two more as part of a 5-7 showing from beyond the arc in the opening 10 minutes.

Urbana (11-13, 10-10 MEC) stayed in the game behind eight first period points from Danie Shafer. The guard didn't miss a shot in the quarter, including two 3-pointers.

Leading 23-20 after one, the Cavs outscored the Blue Knights 24-13 in the second quarter to go to intermission leading 47-33.

Harding scored 16 of her game-high 26 points in the first half as UVa-Wise shot 45.9 percent from the floor in the first 20 minutes. The Cavs forced 11 turnovers in the half and turned the Blue Knights' mistakes into 17 points.

The hosts would push the lead to as many as 25 points early in the fourth period before Urbana finished the game on a 25-12 scoring spurt for the final margin of 12.

Cluesman turned in a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds while Harding added seven boards and four assists to her 26-point performance. Alle Moore added 12 points and seven points in the victory.

Shafer joined Harding with 26 points to tie for game-high scoring honors. Kennedy Boggs was the only other Blue Knight to score in double figures.

The win gives UVa-Wise a season-series split with Urbana. The Cavs complete their three-game home stand on Thursday when West Virginia State visits the Prior Center for Senior Day 2016 .Tip-off is slated for 5:30 p.m.